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The Lone Prince – By Lily Heels

Good evening, my lovely bachelorettes! Today I'm going to speak about the latest gossip surrounding one of the most juicy catches in the Underworld, Earl Damocles Sagan! As you know, he's received the nick name 'The Lone Prince' due to his families' previous position and his insistence on remaining Neutral in Underworld Politics. I'll let those bores at GUNN, our sister publication, talk about all that tedious politics though.

No, what you ladies are interested in is the most important weapon when courting: Information! To that end, here's what we know about what our little Prince has got up to the past few years. He has been on several public dates with his Queen, as well as being spotted with his absolutely adorable knight!

'But those are the peerage members, Lily!' I hear you ask, 'What about actual rivals?!'

Well my dear readers, you are in luck! Thanks to my stellar investigations, I have come up with a list of potential marriage prospects for the young Sagan. The first is an absolutely scandalous one, Lady Yasaka of the Yokai! Now this one is a bit speculative, all their meetings and arranged play dates with their younger family members could just be due to the Sagan Trading company, but they do spend a large amount of time together! Surely there could be some sparks there?

We reached out to Yasaka for comment, but she declined to talk to us about this. Could the Kitsune of Kyoto be bashful?

Whatever the case, the other big one, I dare to say, may be even moreinteresting! Rias Gremory, daughter of the prestigious Gremory family! Despite her engagement to Riser Phenex, the Gremory Heiress has been spending a lot of time with Lord Sagan behind closed doors. Officially, he's been hired to teach her peerage, in preparation for their Rating Game debut. But is that really all that's going on?

We reached out to Heiress Gremory and Master Phenex, to which the replies are below:

'Damocles is a good friend, I asked for his help in preparation for my future Rating Games, to which he gracefully accepted. That's all that's going on. – Heiress Gremory

'Lord Sagan is a close business partner. His arrangements with others is his own business. No matter who they may be. – Master Riser Phenex

Spicy!

Aside from those two, the field seems to be surprisingly clear of competition. A Young, lone Lord to an ancient house, who has single handedly dragged his House from Baron to Earl? He should be swimming in marriage prospects, yet apparently, not so. Oh, there has been no shortage of requests made, but all have received polite but firm rejections.

The isolation that is characteristic of the new Sagan House seems to be in full swing here as well. But don't despair! Keep up your subscription to 'Hot Topics' and we will arm you with all the tools you need to snare the man of your dreams!

'A New Collection?' by Claviclas Bael

Good day, my fellow auction enthusiasts. I write to you today to share a vital piece off information that has fallen into my lap. In our circles, it behoves us to know if any collectors may be interested in our wares specifically. After all, favour can be many times more valuable than the money we can earn through auction.

To that end, as you all know, I frequently peruse the public auction lists to see if I can find any emerging patters to share with you all, our loyal subscribers. Well today, I have found quite the lead. Over the past few months, the isolationist and enigmatic Lord Sagan has attended several auctions, dropping what is sometimes a staggering amount of items on old Sumerian and Babylonian artefacts.

Far be it for me to cast any aspersions as to why, but it seems Lord Sagan has a desire for trinkets from that area, the older the better. Should you have any such items in your personal collections, it would be worth considering reaching out to this rising star if it fits your priorities. After all, those of us of the Old Blood know that Remora's kin would not be satisfied with a mere Earldom.

Helping a young lord with his passions, for an appropriate price of course, is sure to leave you in good standing for negotiations further on. Should they occur, of course. Whether this is worth pursuing, is as always, up to you my Lords and Ladies.

'Clamour in Albion' by Anos Voldigoad

For those of you with business in the British Isles, you may have noticed the Knights of the Crown have been rather active as late, like a poked hive of bees. These things happen, of course, but the reason behind such activity is always worth knowing. If only so as to not fall foul of any misfortune due to the wild flailing.

Well thanks to my source within the Knights themselves, it seems that their panic is actually warranted this time. The ones pushing for this mobilization is the Pendragon family. Yes, that Pendragon family. It appears that something rather valuable has gone missing recently and they are desperate for it to be returned.

What could have been stolen to cause such a reaction, you ask? Well, a better question when it comes to this family is what wouldn't cause a stir if they misplaced it. This time, however, is rather serious. A fortnight ago, someone infiltrated their main compound and absconded with Avalon.

Yes, that Avalon.

The fact that they even were in possession of Excalibur's sheath was supposed to be a tightly guarded secret. How someone found out about it, devised a plan to steal said item and disappeared without a trace is a thing straight out of stories. I was only told in the hope that I had some information on out side of the world about this priceless relic.

Of course, I had no knowledge of such a theft, being just as surprised as I am sure you all to hear about it. However, the Knights have sent out word, that anyone with information that could lead to the reclamation of Avalon would be richly rewarded.

Regardless of where the information comes from. It seems secrecy is understandably out the window this time, the Knights having no leads what-so-ever. Any Devils that feel like getting rewarded by such an esteemedorder, coming forward with information for them can be done through me as a trusted third party.

Of course, how can you give information on something you have no knowledge of? To that end, allow me to describe Avalon and it's history to you…

Outside Lilith Central Station

"Maria Naruse, Gremory Underworld News Network. I am here outside Central Station to see if we can get any statements from the Lords and Ladies heading to the upcoming Senate seating. Oh! I see a Lord exiting the Station now!"

The white haired reported hurried along, moving towards a well dressed Lord being followed by their green-haired Queen.

"Lord Sagan! Lord Sagan! A moment for the cameras? The public would love hearing from someone so handsome!" She ran up to him, microphone extended and a flirtatious look on her face.

Ignoring his Queens rolling eyes, Lord Sagan didn't even break stride, "Would it matter if I said no?"

"Haha, good joke my Lord! How does House Sagan intend to vote on the upcoming bill?" The reporter, rather than attempting to impede his progress decided to merely walk alongside him, allowing the microphone to pick up his answer.

"Against, obviously." Was the curt response.

"The Amendment of House Property Laws Act is meant to streamline the current laws on crimes committed on House Property, but several Analysts have opined that the bill is really aimed at you My Lord. This is due to the rather alarming casualty figures of executed criminals on your House Lands. What is your response to these allegations?"

"If people stopped trespassing, I would stop having to take out people too stupid to read. The Bill will fail anyway, this is a grave overstep by the Senate. The intentions behind it matter little." The tone the response was delivered in a voice dryer than the Sahara.

"Speaking of allegations, you have never publicly commented on the suspicions that you were responsible for the death of the former Astaroth Heir. Would you like to lie those rumours to rest? Although, it has cultivated a sort of 'bad boy ' image around you over the years. So maybe it's to your advantage?" She joked.

"I have no knowledge of that case. I believe that it was investigated fully by the authorities at the time. I was honestly relieved, after all, the animosity between House Astaroth and my own would have been bad for business." The reply was clinical and delivered robotically.

Seeing as she wasn't getting anything juicy with this like of questioning, Maria decided to switch gears, "The Bill that is being argued today was proposed by the Lord Paimon, Lord Sagan. This is the third time in a row you are voting against legislation proposed by the Great King Faction. Does this indicate a shift in House Sagan's neutral stance?"

"No. House Sagan is only loyal to House Sagan. That has been my answer the last time this happened, and it will be my answer when I inevitably vote against the New Satans again."

"But Lord Sagan, you are the only Lord to not attend the Annual Bael Ball, as well as declining all invitations to meet sent to you by the Great King Faction. That points towards a pattern of behaviour." The reporter was forced to stop walking as Lord Sagan did, slowly turning towards her.

For the first time since they started speaking, Lord Sagan looked directly at her. Those blue eyes on such an angelic face should have been cute, but the reporter only felt unease. It was if a great predator had suddenly noticed her entering it's territory. He suddenly screamed danger. It was the hottest thing she had ever seen.

"I do not appreciate..." Came a low rumbling voice, each syllable oozing malice, "Such insinuations. I also declined to attend the Gremory Ball. And the Astaroth Ball. And the Glory Ball. I have declined to meet each and every Lord who wished to meet outside my lands. Should Zekram Bael wish to speak to me, he is welcome to visit the Sagan Manor. The same as anyone else who wishes to speak to me."

His glare lingered for a brief few moments, before he spun on his heel and continued walking, all indications of the conversation fading away like a mirage. His Queen merely sent a smirk Maria's way before following after her King. Maria, in the meantime, was busy recovering from what had felt like a brush with death.

Remembering herself, she straitened up and turned to the camera, "You heard it here first folks! And I must say, I now understand what the girls in the office see in bad boys!"

Sagan TC Main Depot, previously Astaroth Brewery

"I'm not sure about this, man." Came the worried voice, a hooded figure following another as they moved stealthily between the massive warehouses.

"Come on, you're not usually such a scaredy cat. This is easy money, just one little bomb and we are off to the races." Came the calm response.

"There is a reason this pays so well you know. Do you really think running into her is worth it?" The first voice was entirely unconvinced.

"Of course I know. That's why I got Vic to set off that fire at the secondary warehouse. You worry too much, The Blade Fairy will be way too busy with that to come here."

"Don't say her name!" The admonishment was panicked, fearful.

"Oh come. She's not that scary." The first figure shrugged, leaning down to inspect a lock.

"I've seen the bodies, man. You saw that Rating Game, same as me. How can you be so calm?"

He snorted at that, "Come on man, you know all that shit was staged. First Rating Game, barely a few months of training and the kid steam rolls an established peerage? Yeah right, pull the other one."

He moved a hand over the lock, a brief flash breaking it off it's post, "This will be quick, you'll see. Paydays like this don't come often."

He realised his friend wasn't responding, "Buddy, you fainted from fear? What's up?"

He rose and looked to his friend, coming face to face with the unimpressed red eyes of the Blade Fairy herself.

Swearing, he jumped backwards, hand extended, "Don't think I'll go down ea…!"

He collapsed to the ground wetly, the flurry of steel reducing him to a vaguely Devil-shaped pile of minced flesh, joining the other similar looking body.

Kasane sighed, walking over to the newest corpse and extending a hand, wilting when a rectangular object dropped into it.

"Really?" She muttered to herself. They interrupted her date and didn't even have the courtesy to make it hard for her. Now her entire night would be spent investigating this and not exploring these lovely warm feelings she's just discovered.

Her grip tightened on the bomb in her hands. She would find the one responsible and… impress… on them her displeasure.

Forest in Midnight Kyoto

"I don't get what's so great about your brother, Shiro." The young Kitsune flicked her ear, walking along a log next to her Devil friend.

"That's because he's my Nii-san." Came the stoic reply.

"Well he's really nice and I love all the gifts he gives me, but the way you speak about him it's like he can do anything." Kunou pressed.

"He can. Nii-san is the best." Shiro's voice was firm, as if she was asserting a law of the world.

"Of course you would say that, you massive Bro-con." Was the scoffing reply.

"I am a Bro-con." Shiro was not upset at the insult, rather she reaffirmed it with pride.

Kunou sighed at the response. She loved her new friend, but her obsession with her brother was a point of contention. Damocles was nice, probably the nicest boy Kunou knew, but she didn't see him as some sort of flawless being, unlike Shiro. It wasn't because she didn't spend time with him, she actually really liked when he visited and spent time with her.

He treated her really well, almost like Shiro. Shiro would always come first, of course, but if Kunou did have a big brother she thought he would act like Damocles. But at the end it it all, that's all he was. Just, you know, a guy.

"Oh well, I suppose that's part of your charm, Shiro." Kunou gave up, just like she always did when they had this conversation.

"It's because I'm right." Shiro radiated smug.

"Yeah, yea…" He mouth was covered, Shiro crouching and dragging her under the log she was balancing on.

Before she could panic, she felt she felt Shiro whisper into her ear, "Do you have a distress call?"

Eyes wide, she nodded, confused at how her friend was acting. Shiro whispered again, "I've already activated mine. Use yours."

Kunou reached into her robes, finding the charm and ripping in in half. As she did so, Shiro spoke again, "Can you use Illusion magic?"

She nodded.

"Can you transform into a fox?"

Another nod.

Shiro let go and stepped away from the log, "Shiro, wha…"

"Shh." Shiro spoke quickly, "Transform and hide."

Trusting her friend, Kunou transformed into her smaller fox form and hid underneath the log,

Shiro looked around the clearing, before speaking out, "I know you are there."

"Well well. Princess has got some skill, ain't that right Georg?" Came the confident reply, as a man walked into the clearing, a golden spear slung across his shoulders.

"She must be amazing at sensing Magic to detect us, or maybe it was Dimension Lost that tipped her off." A man wearing glasses followed the first, as more and more people arrived behind them.

Kunou panicked, wasn't this terrible? They were really badly outnumbered!

"Princess." The confident man with the spear called out, breaking Kunou's train of thought, "Where's the Fox? She was just with you."

What? They were after her? Why?! Was it because of her Momma?

"Not here." Shiro instantly replied, lying seamlessly.

"Well then." The man shrugged, uncaring, "We don't need you. Heracles."

A heavily muscled man stepped forwards, punching towards Shiro and causing a rolling explosion to fly towards her. Furthermore, towards the log behind her. Before Kunou knew what was happening, she was held safely in Shiro's arms as they flew above the exploding clearing.

"Now now, Princess." The man who had been doing the talking sounded disappointed as he looked up at them, "You should know better than to lie."